Viewpoint’s Third Annual All-School Convocation Launches the 2018-19 School Year

9/10/2018

The excited voices of the students in Grades Kindergarten through Twelve filled the Paul Family Athletic Center (PFAC) for Viewpoint’s Fourth Annual All-School Convocation on Friday, August 31. More than 1,400 students, faculty, staff, and very nostalgic parents of seniors gathered together to hear a warm welcome from Head of School Mark McKee.

The excited voices of the students in Grades Kindergarten through Twelve filled the Paul Family Athletic Center (PFAC) for Viewpoint’s Fourth Annual All-School Convocation on Friday, August 31. More than 1,400 students, faculty, staff, and very nostalgic parents of seniors gathered together to hear a warm welcome from Head of School Mark McKee.

The event began with the seniors processing through the PFAC with a bagpipe player at the lead. The magic of the moment was heightened for the Kindergarteners, who entered the Convocation through a human tunnel made by members of the Class of 2019, many of whom had once been Primary School students themselves.

In his remarks, Mr. McKee shared the theme of the 2018-19 school year: Connection. He compared Viewpoint to a Olympic Training Center, where, like athletes, our students are preparing their minds, hearts, and spirits for the best performances of their lives. He went on to explain that this high level of achievement is only possible through connections with others. For emphasis, Mr. McKee then quoted T’Challa from the film Black Panther, “The wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers.” In the spirit of creating connection across divisions, he invited students from Primary, Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools to come up on stage to share their thoughts on the character traits taught in the Primary and Lower Schools: Friendship, Responsibility, Respect, Compassion, Inclusion, Honesty, Courage, Respect for Environment, Loyalty, and Family. The audience was delighted to hear the student-written remarks delivered with confidence from students of all ages.

The Convocation closed with the whole school singing Viewpoint’s Alma Mater. And the students then exited the PFAC enthusiastic and energized for the school year ahead.

To watch Opening Convocation online, click here. (The children start walking in at the 10-minute mark.)